1. Rugby Union - Lions v Australia. Going in, a clash in the wet suited the Lions. However, it was a remarkable win by the Wallabies 22-14. It must be said, their efforts last week in Melbourne and in Sydney rank up there as some of the finest Australian rugby in recent memory... and it may just have swayed a few doubters (and there were - and are - many) that the game was near dead and simply unwatchable. Tough, uncompromising and unexpected wins in line outs, a tough scrum, counter aggression and no backward steps (even a touch of biff!) and under the pressure of the best in Europe...triumph.
A swansong for Joe Schmidt, but where has this resolve been hiding? They had every right to be disillusioned after last week, but rose to a higher plane. This would not be lost across the world. Sua'ali'i would have no regrets as the Roosters slugged it out at Brookvale Oval, but the Jorgensen speed has been decisive at key moments. Nic White can put away the angry pills now as he retires.
Memo to new coach, Les Kiss... stop picking so many players and keep key combinations consistent. Back in the players and axe your 40 man squads. Pick and stick. (His first step will no doubt be to pick a 60 man squad for a training camp in Borneo).
Still the refereeing is far too dominant and influential. At one point the ref changed the rules on the Wallabies after his own error. Denial... cover up of course. Setting and re-setting scrums as some forlorn religious tribute to 'Buddah' Handy, bores viewers to death. Time outs for players to fix their shoes bores people to death. This is the problem. The best officials in any sport are never seen or heard!
2. The Panthers. They are an incredible team. While a 26 point surrender to the Titans after leading 24-0 would have been unimaginable, they claw back a 26-26 golden point on the back of the great Ivan Cleary. The Cleary field goal was simply outstanding. Had he doubled this up soon after for the win he could have been made an immortal this afternoon. That will come some other time. On the cusp of the top four now with the Warriors falling in a heap!
- Parramatta are stringing together "respectable losses", but they are still within spoon striking distance even though their for and against has improved. A little more promise for the future but another year ticks by with no finals or premiership... 39 years now, into 40 years next year.
- The Dolphins. Highly entertaining and really good to watch - despite their multiple injuries! A team of the future and any suggestion of Wayne Bennett leaving a club in a worse place when he leaves it, is completely wrong here. Coach Woolfe has done a top job.
- As has Michael Maguire (and Trent Barrett!) for the Broncos. This is the time of the season when the Broncos usually crumble, but they are getting better too. Dry weather champions.
- The Bulldogs were woeful in the wet - and the Sharks (unsurprisingly) always do amazingly well in the wet weather. There could be some big upsets in the semi finals if the rain arrives!
- The Raiders are beatable! They leak too many points. The Dragons have lost a lot of close ones this year but this was a famous victory! Interesting that when the rain comes Melbourne also become extremely beatable.
- The Roosters have seemed to lose it a bit in 2025. It was always going to be tough, but there have been too many frayed edges off field too. A strong win. Sandon Smith had them going places.
- Vale Johnny Mayes. Scored the first try in the 1975 Grand Final to make it 5-0 at half time (and 38-0 at full time!). Sadly, no longer with us.
- The NRL player with the outstretched hands, pleading for a penalty. Too much of this in the game. Referees should give a twenty metre penalty for dissent and arguing incessantly. Cured!
- Goal kicking distractions (players or trainers). Waving arms, jumping or running across the field in front...A shot from the set spot and another spot from in front. Cured!
3. England v India Test Cricket. No Stokes, no Bumrah. Injuries after five tests, but tight, testy play with lots of classic Indian cricket arguments and hard nose play. There was a hint it was a second rate/ reserve grade clash. No Pant, no Archer. However, the game goes on. Tremendous play by Jadeja and Sundar in the last test continued this test. England's bowlers really know how to do well in their conditions too (Atkinson, Woakes...). The leadership of new skipper Shubman Gill has been strong. England are dashing and chirpy too. That has never been a strong suit for English teams and it puts them off. A 2-2 final series result looms. Let's see how Bazball goes now. The record has been good since Brendan McCullum commenced in 2022 (but no Test Championship):
4. Hungarian F1 GP. Oscar Piastri is looking for another win to extend his drivers championship lead after winning China, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Miami, Spain and Belgium. The Hungarian GP this week and McLaren is looking sharp. Le Clerc was quickest and starts on pole, but what a spectacle and contest.
5. James Hooper - Driving Drunk (Allegedly). Always presented as an interesting fellow on Fox NRL360. Five times over the limit? Humility is a harsh lesson served in big doses sometimes.
We will hear mental demons are at play, but how does that convert to driving your car after a skin full? No regard for the safety of others, yet was it him giving it to Ezra Man for his drunk driving incident? What is going on at Fox? Are there others who are doing worse than eating a Big Mac on an advertisement? Reality needs to descend on a few egos perhaps.
Reach out to others if you are struggling. Don't run the risk of killing others.
6. AFL. The Giants were pumped by the Western Bulldogs and the top eight really hots up now. The Swans limped past Essendon. These non-event games are hard to get excited about. A highly unusual competition this year with so many dead rubbers and few upsets.
- Brisbane are still alive and kicking and Collingwood do have a surprising wobbly side at times.
- Tom Papley. Is there too much rubbish in his game for a Swans player? Has their recruitment policy changed at all from their famous stated line under Roos and Longmire?
- The Bulldogs are four points outside the eight behind the Giants, Hawthorn and Fremantle and have too much talent to miss out on finals.
- The Gold Coast continue to shine...they are reaching new levels and really stamping their class to go deep into the finals.
7. Netball Final - Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever. Having it in Melbourne was a massive advantage, but the pre GF favourites, the Fever were held in an arm wrestle throughout. The Vixens winning was a massive upset, but that game should be dominating the Australian sports market and profiting.
The Vixens made it by one point v Swifts and won the lot by one point. Small margins...the 1%ers truly matter!
One too many white tracksuited types perhaps and an absence of really promoting its stars. The game should be immensely wealthy for players and emerging players - and juniors at netball courts each Saturday morning. Why is it not?
8. Ange Postocoglou. No new coaching gig announced as yet? Time is tight. It appears they have killed the main actor for Series 2 and 3.
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